..::Football III::..

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Benzema joins Real Madrid's derby injury list

Karim Benzema will definitely join Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Marcelo on the Real Madrid sidelines against Atletico on Wednesday.

Goal understands Benzema, who played no part in Madrid's 3-1 win over Malaga on Saturday, failed to prove his fitness in a training session on Monday due to an issue with the striker's right knee.

The France international's absence leaves Madrid with only Ballon d'Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo fit of Carlo Ancelotti's usual attacking trio.

Bale lasted only five minutes against Malaga before being forced off with a calf injury which the European champions confirmed was not merely a knock on Monday.

Benzema and Bale's absences raise question marks about who will start in attack alongside Ronaldo, with Isco and Javier Hernandez expected to start with the Portuguese star.

Attack is not the only area that will have Blancos fans fearing for their European security as Luka Modric was ruled out for up to six weeks with a sprained ligament in his knee.

Asier Illarramendi and Lucas Silva are options for Santiago Bernabeu boss Ancelotti, who is gunning for his fourth Champions League crown this season.

Brazilian left-back Marcelo's suspension for the Madrid derby game will also test the team's squad depth as they look to beat Atletico for the first time (at the eighth attempt) since lasts season's Champions League final.

 

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Suarez sad to see Gerrard leaving Liverpool

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has admitted that former team-mate Steven Gerrard's impending departure from Liverpool makes him "sad".

Gerrard will depart Anfield and head to LA Galaxy in MLS at the end of the season, thus ending a 17-year playing career with his boyhood club.

The midfielder's last chance to sign off with a trophy disappeared with Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa and Suarez, who spent three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, was full of praise for his ex-colleague.

"I try to watch all the Liverpool games. They have really good players," he told reporters.

"It's sad when I hear Stevie is leaving because for me he's an amazing player, and when I was at Liverpool they knew my dream was to play for Barcelona."

Suarez was speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou, with Barca leading 3-1 thanks in part to a pair of superb goals from the Uruguayan in the French capital.

 

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Drogba skips charity match to be fit to face Arsenal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has withdrawn injured from featuring in a charity game in a bid to be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.

Drogba has started up front in the Blues' last two matches with Diego Costa battling a persistent hamstring injury, while Loic Remy is sidelined with a muscular problem picked up shortly before the 1-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road earlier this month.

The Ivorian veteran was also due to participate in a charity 'Match against Poverty' on Monday alongside legends Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo in France, with the proceeds donated to the fight against Ebola.

But Drogba has revealed he will sit out the match to spend the week allowing his ankle to heal as his absence could cause Jose Mourinho a selection headache in attack.

"Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse: http://on.undp.org/LrmEA," Drogba tweeted.

Drogba has a prolific scoring record against Arsenal over the course of his career, netting 15 goals in as many games.

 

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Raul Garcia: Final revenge not on Atletico's minds

Raul Garcia says Atletico Madrid are not seeking Champions League revenge in their quarter-final decider with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Carlo Ancelotti's men triumphed over the Rojiblancos in the tournament's final last season, although Diego Simeone's side have since beaten the European champions four times and held them to a draw on three occasions.

The tie is poised at 0-0 after the first leg at the Vicente Calderon last week and, ahead of the return fixture, Raul Garcia says Atletico refuse to let last campaign's heartbreaking defeat in Lisbon weigh on their minds.

"We don't live in the past," the Spanish midfielder told AS. "Obviously we would have liked to win that final, but this is another duel, another season and we just think about that."The team is at an exceptional level and we'll go with a positive mind-set to play at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"There is no need for any motivation to address these games. The fixture does that by itself. Every player lives for games like Wednesday's."

Antoine Griezmann has scored six goals in his last four Liga games but Raul Garcia thinks it's the responsibility of the entire team to bolster their goalscoring chances against the Blancos.

"Griezmann's recent goals are very important, as they have been throughout the season," he added. "Everybody who plays is giving everything though but he in particular is adding to what we do."

 

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Barcelona are La Liga favourites, says Laudrup

Michael Laudrup believes Barcelona will edge out Real Madrid as his two former clubs battle to become Spanish champions.

Luis Enrique's Barca are currently two points clear of the European champions with six games to go, with the title race set to go down to the wire unless one suffers a dip in form.

Laudrup is well aware of the intense rivalry between the Liga heavyweights having played at Camp Nou for five years until swapping Barca for Real Madrid in 1994, where he resided for two seasons.

The Dane, who currently coaches Qatari club Lekhwiya, suggests Champions League elimination at the quarter-final stage might actually help whoever exits Europe when it comes to domestic glory.

“It is very difficult to tell who will win La Liga this season,” Laudrup said in an interview with World Cup 2022 organisers sc.qa. “They both have some tough games remaining.

“Four points was a good margin, now it’s down to two so it is tough. Also what happens in the Champions League will have an impact, because if one goes out and the other goes through that means two more games to play.

“They both want to win everything - they are prepared and capable - so it will be nice to watch. As a spectator this part of the season is great to watch.“I still consider Barcelona to be favourites because they are in front, but one bad game and you are behind. Of course it is always better to be in front; [Madrid] have to win and hope that [Barca] lose.”

Carlo Ancelotti's men look the more likely of the Spanish arch-rivals to exit Europe as they drew the first leg of their quarter-final with Atletico Madrid 0-0 at the Vicente Calderon.

Barca, on the other hand, would need to completely implode to be dumped out of the Champions League as they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 last Wednesday.
The Catalans host PSG on Tuesday before Real Madrid host Diego Simeone's side at the Santiago Bernabeu 24 hours later.

 

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Luis Enrique: Ibrahimovic's failure and Suarez's success at Barca baffles me

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is baffled as to why Luis Suarez has succeeded where Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed by flourishing at Camp Nou.

Ibrahimovic arrived in Catalunya from Inter in 2009 for a reported €70 million but, despite a bright start to his Blaugrana career, the outspoken Swede returned to Italy after a solitary season in which he had a bitter falling-out with then coach Pep Guardiola.

Suarez, meanwhile, initially struggled to prove himself worthy of the €94m transfer fee Barca had paid Liverpool for his services, but his form has improved steadily since the turn of the year and is now back playing at his very best.

With Ibra set to face his former club on Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain take on Barca in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Luis Enrique was asked to compare the two striker's contrasting fortunes at Barca.

"I don't know why Suarez has fitted in at Barcelona better than Ibrahimovic," the coach stated. "His goals took a while to arrive but I can only praise his performance and his work ethic.

"Although you sign a top player, you never know how he will adapt to the team or the city. Those handicaps can go against you but in the case of Suarez he has adapted very quickly. Some players take a while to adapt and others do it fast."

Ibrahimovic was forced to sit out last week's first leg through suspension and the prolific striker was missed, with Laurent Blanc's men slumping to a 3-1 home defeat.

The 33-year-old is now set to make his return to the starting line-up for the return tie, but Luis Enrique insists that the forward's inclusion will not alter his tactical plan.

"Ibrahimovic is back in the team but that doesn’t change matters because PSG will play with the same style," he stated. "We sometimes change it to create more problems for the opponent but not because of individual players.

"The opponent suffered a bad result in the first leg, and they will be looking to win by using every weapon they have. Our objective is clear: we want to win this match.

"I can’t say who stands a better chance of progressing. We need to play another great match to get through, that’s the truth."I would say we are at our highest level at the moment but tomorrow we will have to be in top form to face PSG."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I'll close Milan deal on Sunday - Mr Bee

Bee Taechaubol expects he will sign a deal to become AC Milan’s majority shareholder during a trip to Italy on Sunday.

The Thai entrepreneur has been in lengthy talks with current president Silvio Berlusconi regarding a takeover and he has now confirmed that he expects the details to be agreed and signed off within 10 days.“Next Sunday I will be in Milan to sign and close the deal,” Taechaubol told La Repubblica.

Taechaubol – known better as Mr Bee – is due to spend four days in Lombardy where he is expected to rubber-stamp an agreement which will see him buy a 20 per cent stake in the club immediately on the condition of making a purchase of an additional 45% in the coming 12 months.With his total 65% stake, he will become the majority shareholder and president of Milan.

Such is Mr Bee’s intent to see the deal through, there is even a penalty clause being added which would force Berlusconi to pay a sizeable fine should he renege on the agreement.

The Thai was recently seen at the Milan museum with financier Victor Pablo Dana, who will become managing director under Mr Bee’s regime with Paolo Maldini as technical director. Dana even posted a photo of their visit on Twitter.Most recently, Mr Bee sent an open message to Rossoneri supporters ahead of Sunday’s 0-0 derby draw with Inter.

It said: “I send warm greetings to the president and the whole Berlusconi family and the directors of the club, but above all a great cheer for Milan. I will watch the game live from Bangkok and I will be the most dedicated fan there is. Forza Milan!”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iniesta fit to face Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona have announced that midfielder Andres Iniesta has been passed fit for Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou.
The Spain international was forced off eight minutes into the second half of the first leg at Parc des Princes after suffering a pelvic injury in a collision with PSG playmaker Javier Pastore.

The 30-year-old World Cup winner was subsequently forced to sit out Barca's Liga win over Valencia on Saturday but has now been cleared to return to action.

"Andres Iniesta has received medical clearance," read a statement released on the Catalan club's website on Monday. "The midfielder is now available for coach Luis Enrique, having recovered from severe contusion suffered during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals versus Paris Saint-Germain.

"Both he and the rest of the available first-team players worked out on Monday morning. Jeremy Mathieu did individual work, while Thomas Vermaelen worked out with the group."

Barca will take a 3-1 advantage into the return fixture in Catalunya, with Neymar netting the opener before Luis Suarez struck a sensational double.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lahm: I'm fit to face Porto

Philipp Lahm has revealed he is fit and ready to lead Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final, second-leg clash with Porto.

The former Germany international played in last week's 3-1 loss at the Dragao but was then forced to sit out Saturday's Bundesliga win at Hoffenheim after being struck down by gastroenteritis.

However, Lahm, speaking on the eve of the pivotal return clash at the Allianz, has revealed he is ready to play his part in what he believes will be a successful bid to overturn a two-goal deficit."I am fine and I will play," the versatile midfielder told reporters. "The game is important and I am fit to play it.

"It will not be easy for us, but we have our fans with us and we will fight till the end.

"We will do everything to go through but an early goal would be perfect."We want to control the game - that is our style of play. We need a good balance in all our team, not just in the defence."We are a very good team and we have proven our quality several times in the last few years.

"It is vital that we stay calm. We have 90 minutes to score our goals. "I am very confident and I am sure that we will go to the semi-finals."

Lahm denied, though, that Bayern had been over confident heading into their first meeting with a Porto side that are yet to be beaten in this season's Champions League.

"We did not underestimate Porto before the first leg," the World Cup winner added. "But unfortunately Porto went 2–0 up very quickly."Bayern also expect to have Bastian Schweinsteiger available after recovering from an ankle knock, but Franck Ribery remains a doubt because of a similar issue.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City confirm no cheekbone break for Silva

David Silva has not suffered a broken cheekbone after being stretched off during Manchester City's 2-0 win over West Ham, the club have confirmed.

The Spaniard appeared to be caught by West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate as he broke away, and Silva subsequently received eight minutes of medical attention, with oxygen administered by City's medical staff.

An official club statement reads: "Subsequent hospital tests showed no fracture and the 29-year-old will now be closely monitored ahead of Saturday's Premier League game with Aston Villa."

Silva was then stretchered off, with Samir Nasri introduced as his replacement, and sent to hospital for tests but tweeted a positive message soon after the game.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale ruled out of Atletico Madrid clash

Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale suffered a calf injury in Saturday's Liga win over Malaga and will miss the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico.

The Wales international pulled up just five minutes into the 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu and was promptly replaced by Javier Hernandez.

The club issued an update on Bale's condition via their official website on Monday, stating: "Following tests carried out on Gareth Bale at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left soleus. His progress will be monitored."Although Madrid failed to specify the exact timescale of the winger's absence, it is believed that he is facing between two and three weeks on the sidelines.

If that is the case, the €100 million man will miss Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, as well as the upcoming Liga games against Celta, Almeria and Sevilla.

Madrid are already certain to be without midfielder Luka Modric for their derby decider at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Croatia international having been ruled out of action for up to six weeks with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

Striker Karim Benzema is another major doubt for the Atleti showdown with a knee problem, with the game in the balance following a 0-0 draw in last week's first leg at the Vicente Calderon.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United v Chelsea will decide title next season - Shaw

Luke Shaw believes Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea next season will be a title decider after the Blues ran out 1-0 winners at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Eden Hazard’s goal left Jose Mourinho’s side on the verge of claiming the Premier League title, but United remain in the hunt for a second-placed finish.

Louis van Gaal's side sit just a point behind Arsenal, though the Gunners do have a game in hand by virtue of their FA Cup exploits.

Shaw impressed during the defeat to Chelsea, with his marauding runs down the left causing a number of problems for the Blues defence, and he was delighted with the display from both a personal and team perspective.

“You have seen what [Louis van Gaal] has turned United into in recent weeks, but that is because there is a really focused side, where you have to give 100 per cent in every training session and game and be focused all the time,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“If you don’t give that, he won’t play you and that’s what he is like. You have seen the results of recent weeks, we keep improving and we want that continue so that we can come out firing next season.

“Will this be a title decider next season? Yeah, you could say that.”

Shaw believes his performance against Chelsea was his best since joining the club from Southampton last summer, while he has also rejected talk that he was criticised by Van Gaal because of his lack of fitness.

“I wouldn’t say it has been a hard three weeks, but it has been a three weeks that I have been able to learn a lot more about myself, so it has been a nice three weeks in that respect and it was good to get on the pitch again,” he said.

“I’d like to think [it was my best performance for United]. I felt really good on the pitch. I got forward a lot, but I think everyone was brilliant and we could have got something.

“I haven’t been playing and there have been a lot of negative comments about me. It is something that isn’t nice and I’ve tried to ignore it, but hopefully this is the start of me coming back.

“This will give me confidence, of course. I saw a comment the other day saying I was taken off at half-time against Arsenal because I wasn’t fit enough, but that’s not true at all.

“This is coming from me and I know what the manager pulled me off for and it wasn’t for my fitness because I could have carried on in the game.

“I spoke with the manager about it. I felt my back a little bit and he just wanted to be careful because I am young and hopefully have a long future ahead of me. It wasn’t anything about my fitness at all.”

He added: “I have family and friends who are helping me on my journey and the manager as well has been unbelievable as well.

“Over the last three weeks, I have learned a lot from him and credit goes to him for trusting me in a big game like Chelsea.

“[Van Gaal] has two sides to him, but he is genuinely a really nice guy and a great manager.”

 

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Hazard is up there with Ronaldo and Messi, claims Mourinho

Chelsea star Eden Hazard is among the best three players in the world, according to Jose Mourinho.

The 24-year-old has been nominated for the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year award after another fine Premier League campaign, notching 13 goals and eight assists in the competition alone.

Hazard was the hero again as Chelsea extended their lead at the top to 10 points after he scored the winner in his side's 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

"He's a kid, but he is also a family man and he knows he is one of the three best players in the world, responsibility comes with that and he is coping with that responsibility," Mourinho told reporters.

"If people want to be fair, he gets that award [Player of the Year]. But the award I want him to win is the Premier League. I've had lots of stars, but he's the humble star. He's a great kid.

"Physically, mentally he's getting very, very strong. He understands his role. He understands his talent is fundamental for the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Agent: Pogba will leave Juventus for the right offer

Paul Pogba's agent has admitted the midfielder will leave Juventus if he receives the right offer.

The France international has established himself as one of the best players in world football since joining the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012.

His emergence has reportedly caught the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City, who are all expected to make summer bids.

Juve managed to persuade Pogba to sign a contract extension in October that binds him to the club until 2019, but the 22-year-old's representative, Mino Raiola, has suggested that it is only a matter of time before his client leaves Turin.

"Since the beginning of the season, I received over 2000 phone calls about Pogba, about 20 a day," the agent told La Stampa."I received many engagement proposals, but none of them were worthy of marriage.

"We signed with Juventus for five more years, but we're all gentlemen: if the right offer arrives, we'll take it."Raiola admitted that Pogba's likely exit will have a devastating effect on a Juve side that still relies heavily on veterans such as Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo.

"Juventus will face a big challenge: they have to rebuild the team, they have to do that when they're on top, not when you'e obliged to do that," he added.

"Next year they'd need four or five new players. Do you remember when they sold [Zinedine] Zidane?"Pogba is currently out of action with a hamstring injury but Raiola is hopeful that his client will be back before the end of the season.

"He's working hard to come back as soon as possible, but at the moment it's too early to make some predictions," he added. "But let's say earlier than the Champions League final [on June 6]."Juve are on the verge of reaching the last four of Europe's premier cup competition, having defeated Monaco 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash in Turin last week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Modric: I could return by May

Luka Modric has given Real Madrid a boost by claiming that he could return from injury before the end of the season.

The midfielder sprained a ligament in his right knee in Saturday's Liga win over Malaga and the Croatian Football Federation announced the following day that the 29-year-old would be out of action for six weeks.

Madrid, by contrast, refused to put a timescale on Modric's recovery and the former Tottenham man has now explained that while he is devastated at suffering another injury just a month after recovering from a hamstring tear, he is optimistic about his chances of making a rapid recovery.

"I felt dizzy the moment I took the knock," Modric said of his collision with Malaga's Recio in an interview with Sportske Novosti. "It really hurt a lot. I knew it was something serious.

"I am so sad that I've been injured again - and this time at the most important stage of the season. "But I have to keep my chin up and work hard again to get fit again. "I spent four or five months fighting to get back on the pitch and it all looked great. I felt I was getting back to my best but then came more trouble.

"But if I keep whining, it will only make things worse, so I'll keep my head up and go to work. "My goal now is to be back before the end of the season. Maybe I can recovery quickly and still play some league matches. I will try my hardest."

Madrid, who are currently two points behind Liga leaders Barcelona, conclude their campaign with a home game against Getafe on May 24.

Modric's unavailability for the title run-in would be a major blow for Madrid, who have lost four of the 24 games they have played without the playmaker this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata thanks Chelsea fans and congratulates them on 'title win'

Juan Mata has thanked Chelsea for his reception during Manchester United's 1-0 loss on Sunday and congratulated them on their imminent Premier League title win.

The Spaniard was named club player of the year two years in a row before but was sold to United after being demoted to a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho.

Eden Hazard was the difference on Sunday, settling a tense game with the only goal as Chelsea opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the table and Mata wrote of frustrations but an overriding sense of pride.

"When we were leaving Stamford Bridge, to catch the train and go back to Manchester, I had mixed feelings," he wrote. "I was angry about the defeat, I was thrilled after seeing some old friends, but especially I was proud.

"I felt proud of the game the team had played, keeping the ball possession, controlling the game and creating chances to score, and all this at Stamford Bridge against the leaders... As our manager said after the game, we were loyal to our football idea, and despite the score didn't show that, if we keep playing like this there will be many more wins than defeats, I'm pretty sure of that.

"Besides, the team showed personality by playing that way against such a tough opponent, who gave no space in their half of the pitch and defended with so many players. Obviously, we also made some mistakes we have to learn from in the future. But overall that was my feeling about the game we had played: pride.

"The other reason, as you can imagine, is about the reception I was given from the Chelsea fans. It was really moving to feel the people's respect and affection, and I will always be grateful for that. To them and also to the players. I thank them for such affection and I congratulate them for the title they are about to win, because it's almost done. It was nice to meet them and chat with them after the game, and also the club's staff, doctors, physios, etc., and feel their respect and friendship. Thanks to all and congratulations."

Mata also spared a thought for Manchester City's David Silva, a fellow Spain international, after he was stretchered off against West Ham with a suspected broken cheekbone.

He added: "I want to send a message of support to my team-mate in the Spanish national team David Silva after his worrying injury, when he was given oxygen and left the pitch on a stretcher. I hope he is fine and back to the football pitch as soon as possible. I think his cheekbone is not broken, so it all seems to be a contusion and a big scare."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2015.04.21

UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2015.04.21

AGG
(1-3)

Bayern Vs Porto

AGG
(3-1)

Barcelona Vs PSG

​

 

[rcccc]

UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2015.04.21

AGG
(1-3)

Bayern Vs Porto

AGG
(3-1)

Barcelona Vs PSG

​

 

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Ada Bayern latanam due or die situation 1kak thiyenne broFull try 1ka dei Porto advantage 1ka overturn karagannapatta gemak yai
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Ada Bayern latanam due or die situation 1kak thiyenne broFull try 1ka dei Porto advantage 1ka overturn karagannapatta gemak yai
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ow machan eth ribery & robben nae nedahome nisa hoda gamak deyi